Chapter 7

And now, the happy hour has come. The crowd, which only last month had bypassed the carriage of Prince Wang Tae Wang Han, now skipping, showering flowers all around, rejoiced at the sight of the newlyweds. Those were some really double standards. Wang Tae himself was perplexed at how warmly the people now received him, and so, he started to grumble that there was no heavenly punishment for these hypocrites; then, under the reproachful look of King Li-en, accompanying him in the carriage to the temple that was already surrounded by very many horse harnesses, he began to laugh nervously and waved to the crowd.

"Ah, Mimi, why is everything so bristling? It is just wrong!" Heonui was indignant on the porch, illuminated by sunlight. "Everything should be exquisite today, because this is our wedding day, and Wang Tae cannot see me in such toilette!"

But there was no truth in her nervous words — only experiences before a significant day spoke. Heonui Li-en has never looked so delightfully charming. Her wedding attire was made by the best seamstresses in the area. The high, puffy sleeves shimmered with gold and silver threads when rays of light inadvertently fell on them. The elegant neckline of her wedding dress was adorned with beads; on the back was complex embroidery with silk threads of curly flowers and multi-winged butterflies sitting on them; the waist was accentuated with the bustle under the skirts in the back. The veil was neither long nor short, made of organza and tulle, embellished with beads, as on the sections of the dress itself. The hairstyle for the long hair of the bride was done by the Queen herself, and many barbers could marvel at the result — high chestnut braids woven together curled into a fancy pattern resembling an open tulip decorated with white ribbons.

"Your Royal Highness! You're worrying in vain. It doesn't bristle, really!" the charmingly dressed Mimi lamented. "Where is he… Where is Wang…"

"Where is he? Why is he late?"

"A? Who?"

"My future husband, Mimi! Who else?"

"Your Royal Highness, the roads are all so very messy! After such a rain, it is good they will manage to get here at all," Mimi rushed to explain, being far away in her thoughts and not knowing why the Prince was taking so long, but it was necessary to answer something to calm Heonui, who found no peace today in anything.

But her concern was unfounded, for in the distance, she heard the sound of clattering hooves squelching through the mud, which provided an untidy contrast to such a wonderful event.

"Yes, here they are! Ah, happiness!!" exclaimed the future Princess.

"Heonui!" shouted Wang Han Junior from the stopping carriage. "In a few moments, we will be spouses forever! How amazing you look, dear Heonui! My eyes are not worthy to see this beauty! I fell into Anboto's cave! My Murumendiko Dama!" 

"And my ears are not worthy to hear this madman! Where are his manners?" grunted Queen An Ha, looking from the side at the whispering crowd of guests already waiting inside the temple.

"Shhh…" the leaves of the trees rustled. "Shhh..."

Heonui laughed out loud.

The ceremony was promised.